Faithful Followers

Friday, December 28, 2007

Four more days until I start my annual diet, follow it for a couple weeks, get a hankering for Lou Malnati's, and decide that delicious pizza is much more important than eating healthy and getting fit. It's a tradition. Who's with me?

Seriously, I feel a heart attack coming on every time I scale a set of stairs. I run out of breath chasing the kids around the house. I need a small crane to help me get up after playing with the kids on the floor. This can't be good.

Putting on jeans, fresh out of the dryer, takes a feat of Herculean strength. My fat rolls have developed rolls of their own and if I gain one more pound, I fear I'll need the jaws of life to extricate my butt from the seat of the plane the next time I travel.

Why is it such hard work to lose weight? You have to really pay attention to what you eat. You have to make wise decisions and choose the stinky ole fish over the cheeseburger with 1400 grams of fat. You have to *ugh* exercise. It takes so much effort to lose 5 pounds, yet you can gain 5 pounds in a single day without blinking an eye. It's really not fair. Why is that?

66 comments:

Yep, I usually just don't make any resolutions, then I don't have to worry about it. Last year we bought an exercise machine that we used for about a month and now it sits, untouched. I keep thinking we should get back on it. Good luck to you. As soon as I think about eating healthier, I crave the bad stuff even more.

I'll join your club. Your whole list of resolutions sounds great to me! I agree with you.....It takes SOOOO much work and effort to loose 5 lbs. It doesn't seem right, but it HAS to be done.I want some new summer clothes!!!

This is why I'm still trying to nail down my resolutions for 2007 before it ends. I have a lot of good resolutions, but keeping them would require a plan and all the plans would require being in control of my life, which is sort of unrealistic at this point.

Oh my gosh, I am so with you. I have been psyching up to start my annual diet as well. And what makes it worse, is I tend to eat MORE knowing I will have to be eating less on the first. I did lose 35lbs in 2004, but um...it's all back plus some. Hang in there, and good luck with it. Maybe one of us will last longer than two weeks.

BTW-I just love your blog. I have to always check in and see what your latest adventure is. Thank you!!

Dawn, I can totally relate to the weight issue. After #3, I joined Weight Watchers (just over a year ago). Still at it. It is SLOW for me, but only 8-9 pounds more to go and OH so worth it! You get so much traffic on your site, maybe you can just "trade" advertising for free weekly meeting fees . . . never hurts to try. Thanks for all the laughs you provide us as we look at daily life through another's set of eyes.

Why do we torture ourselves so every year by making unattainable resolutions?

The thing is, I shouldn't even bother with yearly resolutions, because I do this diet self-talk thing almost weekly and fail time after time. It's not working for me.

It's just so hard to take up with the likes of Kashi, Kelloggs, Dole and General Mills when you've had longstanding relationships with such seductive European Lovers like Ghiradelli, Godiva, Guittard...

Have you ever met a SKINNY mom who's pleasant and happy? I think all that dieting and working out makes most women miserable so my theory is that you can either be skinny and B*tchy or you can be plump and happy. At least, that's how I rationalize it for myself...

ok well I am with you on the healthy goals, well I'd like to stop yelling at my kids, but lets be serious here!

Like many I am a weight watchers girl! I joined in April and have lost over 40#'s (of course I gained 3 back this week *sigh*). my resolution for this year is to lose the last 25.

oh and if you want an easy exercise regime to start, I suggest the couch to 5K program on coolrunning.com! it's awesome. and you can do it as a run walk program, of if you don't feel ready, do it as a speed walk/slow walk program. only 40 mins max a day, 3x a week ;) gee doesn't that sound FUN!?!?

we'll at least you'll know we are all sweating and depriving ourselves alongside you!

I'll be there with you Dawn but I can't 'diet'. If I do I only think of food all the time. I have to tell myself I am eating healthy. Anyone else need the comfort of an online site to keep them occupied while losing weight? I have tried a couple but begrudge some of the subscription fees. I am going to do the Paul Mckenna 'I can make you Thin' book & journal (again - but properly this time).Good Luck Girls!

My Motto for New Years Resolution's is, "You make 'em, to break 'em!" Just Kidding;)

Actually, I feel like I have a little perspective this year. With my prayers and thoughts with Julian and his family and other families in the same situation, I think my New Year's resolution will be to enjoy life more.

Last Valentines day, my son 12 year old son Austin had a doctor's appt. The doctor thought Austin had a silver dollar size tumor in his knee. We went to MRI's, CT scans, Primary CHildren's Hospital, and to 2 specialist. Thankfully, it was a break in the bone and scar tissue build up around it. We did 3 months of Physical Therapy, not Chemo Therapy. For the 2 months of not knowing, were the longeest of my life. I want to enjoy my family more and not be in such a rush.

I read this poem last night and I hope it is ok, to post it here: (It is from Erma Bombeck, which I thought was appropriate, for you Dawn;)

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

"I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it , live it and never give it back."

So here is to enjoying life, and yes taking better care of our bodies, so we can enjoy life. (This coming from a plus size girl ;O)

It is hopeless. I have eight children and it was easier when I was physically chasing them around the house trying to control them. Now, all my time is devoted to their activities and I spend all my time driving them to and from events, sitting on my butt in a car, or homeschooling them, sitting on my butt in a chair. sigh

LMAO I love it!!!!I think the only way I could lose weight is to tape my mouth closed. Lets see 6 children, a housefull of housework, schoolwork, tennis practise for the 7 yr old, netball practise for the 9 yr old, soccer training for the 9 and 7 yr olds, Hap ki do for the 11 yr old, so where do I find the time for my excercise regime? You would think that all the running around I would have the body of Angelina Jolie..... but no I love my food too much and have to suffice with the body of a regular mum of children lol.

Hubs and I usually resolve to lose weight after Christmas, and we're usually successful. Especially the past two years: Believe me, your spouse having a 4-way heart bypass is a wonderful motivator. This year both of us gained 11 pounds; we've dropped that 3 that everyone says is water weight, the 3 that you lose the first day or two. From here on, it'll be slow going.

I think you should resolve not to let nasty commenters on your blog upset you EVER.

Do not make a resolution to diet. Make a resolution to eat 300 grams of veggies with lunch and 300 grams of veggies with dinner + 4 pieces of fruit a day. Also drink plenty of water.Allow yourself to eat normally otherwise.Veggies and fruit will fill you up so you do not eat as much of the unhealthy stuff.

Diets don´t work and the weight you lose dieting will come back + 20%.By dieting you are setting yourself up to fail.

Okay Dawn - I am losing weight now (after baby #2. I have been for the past 2 months and have lost about 8 of the 15 I want to lose. My FAVORITE way to lose weight - Low Carb, Low Sugar. Why? Because I have found a couple of GREAT manufacturers of Sugar Free Chocolate. IT IS DELICIOUS. And Fudgesicles as well. Good Luck and thanks for the laughs

Yep - I was going to make the same old diet resolution this year. Instead, I got pregnant with twins! So now I get to resolve to gain at least 15 pounds by the time I'm 20 weeks (I'm 10.5wks now), and at least 35 pounds overall. Whee... I think I'm going to like this new year. ;-)

Of course, I still have to have that old "eat healthy" resolution. Apparently, twins like fish better than cheeseburgers, too. However, I don't have to be consumed with guilt when my boyfriend, Haagen Dazs, seduces me. Fat is good for brain development, right?

I hate to sound like a wet blanket, but I need to stop losing weight. I had back surgery in December, and if I lose any more weight, I'll have to have a new back brace made. I'm not skinny, not by a long shot. I only hope that I can maintain this weight until I no longer need my brace, and then take a bunch off. I weigh less with my brace than I did before surgery without it. If you want to know how I'm losing, I'm "grazing" instead of eating meals. I have an apple or a serving of diced pears, maybe a half bagel (with cream cheese). I am walking, as instructed, on my treadmill. I don't mind that, because I've always been a "walker", not content to sit and watch the pounds pile on. Instead of chasing your kids, why not lead them in a walk or something? Occupy them, instead of wondering what they're doing?I love your blog. I get a huge giggle every morning. Sometimes, if I'm up late at night, I'll check to see if the next edition is out, yet. I can relate to your family, but only because I was one of six kids. My mom says that, if she had it to do over again, she'd have had all six of us at once. Any thoughts?

Oh yes its that time again....to set resolutions. To loose weight is a the most popular. However, it may be mine again this year. I gained 11 pounds after my hospital visit....I know it is mostly water, and coming off slowly. But why could I have been one to loose 11 pounds and not gain? Keep up the good work in 2008 and we all love reading your blog!

Hey HEY now! Here's a mom who has finally lost all her post-"Baby" weight and ahem, a little pre-baby weight too. Not by dieting (die is in that word, Missy!).. but by finding activities that I LIKE to do! Also, by finding a place that let's me do them that has GREAT childcare (I only have ONE though)... I go to a great YMCA... They have great children's programs though so the idea is that you get all your kid's involved in classes while you get your GROUP workout in! You still eat how you do now. You don't try to go it alone at home, with temptation, and guilt as your silent naughty partners! ::grin:::: Then you find group classes you get into... A lot has changed in 20 years!!! Slowly, you start by changing some of your snacks - you'll see a difference. It doesn't happen overnight and you don't expect it to - otherwise you give up. You don't give up on your kids right away if they don't master something immediately - why do that to yourself??!! Lighten up!

Anyway - I LOVE your blog! Thanks for all the laughs and I will continue to stay tuned! Oops, my little angel is calling in her singsong way.... la la la! Bye,Tory in Orlando

Your "failed" resolutions seem to be working fine. I'll bet you never thought of resolving to get a book published last January, yet here you are.You've done so much good with your blog, and used your new found fame for helping others. I think the Dawn we all know and love is perfect just the way she is.

I made the same resolution last year. I am happy to report I have lost over 80 pounds since January 2nd of 2007. There is a great website called www.sparkpeople.com It helps you track your calories and exercise. And it's free. Look me up when you get there dcash10367

Just wondering what's with all the santa bags under the tree. I have never seen all the presents look so uniform, and I know you have a good reason...I love it, and all the Christmas pics! Thanks for sharing!

I have to agree with Eileen - weightwatchers is the way to go. My mom has been at it for 2 months and she's lost 30+ pounds. The best part is that you can eat whatever you want - just not as much of it as you'd like ;) Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best! I love your blog btw!

I actually am resolving to stay on the plan I've been doing... FAT FLUSH by Ann Louise Gittleman. This is the best and easiest program of eating I've ever done! I've lost 42 lbs since May 28th, 14" total, no longer am pre-diabetic and my cholesterol levels are now perfect!Check it out and see what you think. I go by weebeme on her forum (just google her name) and you can view my picturetrail there.

Awe guys... don't look at it as a diet. That always sets us up for failure! ALWAYS! I did Weight Watchers a few years ago and lost 35 lbs on their CORE program in 4 months. After some health stuff I've gained 15 lbs back so my goal after new years is to get back into a healthy eating lifestyle again. I am already active so that part isn't hard. My size 4s are staring at me from the drawer whispering my name and I am determined to get them up over my butt once again.

Go slow and don't worry. Attitude is half the battle. And walk walk walk - its the BEST exercise.

Oh, I understand! I've tried so many eating plans and I just can't stick to them. I enjoy good food too much! This fall I read French Women Don't Get Fat, and I finally found an eating plan I can stick with. It's about eating the food you are passionate about -- in healthy quantities, planning your indulgences, etc. There's a forum, too, and the author of the book is active on the forum. So when you post about a success, she congratulates you! It's great!.--Ruth

I resolve to never make New Year's resolutions. I did however join an online bible study called The Lord's Table. After trying EVERYTHING to stop eating emotionally, I found this.www.settingcaptivesfree.com

I've heard the most common top 2 resolutions for women are losing weight and getting organized-- ironically these two tend to go hand in hand. In my years as a professional organizer I helped folks see the correlation between getting rid of all the "negative excess" whether it's weight, junk or even hobbies/committments. The whole "letting go" concept can apply to so many things! I know, New Year's resolutions are tough, I still struggle with my unending list but my best suggestion is this: moderation! Instead of saying: "I'm not going to eat pizza & cheeseburgers" and then turning around the doing just that try saying: "I'm going to have more meals with less fat/calories and fewer high fat/calorie meals but still get to occasionally enjoy my burger or pizza"! And instead of saying: "I will keep my house clean and in order" instead try saying: "I will make small efforts each day that make a difference" (such as working on collecting things that need to be put away in a basket even if you can't take care of it all right then.) Hope that helps at least a litte and Happy New Year! Make it a Great 2008.

Oh yes. The dreaded New Years Resolution. Normally, I don't bother making any because I never keep them. This year, however, I'm determined to shave off that 15 lbs I've gained. It started out as 5 lbs and when I wasn't looking, it creeped up to 15. It's not a lot, but it's hard to lose. If heart disease and diabetes didn't run rampant in my family, I wouldn't even bother, but I fear the 15 will turn into 30 and the 30 will turn into 60..rinse...repeat. I don't mind the exercise...it's the actual diet part I don't like. When I was younger, the exercise part was enough. Just run every evening for a week and those 5 lbs came right off. Now I can run for a month and gain 10. Bleh. Aging metabolism sucks.

Good luck on the diet, Dawn! Maybe this is the year we will both be successful.

Oh how I miss Lou Malnati's, it was walking distance for me. Our pizza here is HORRIBLE! No good bakeries either. We do have Portillo's, but it's just not enough!!!! Dawn you could do a blog on all the wonderful food you have there. Jarosch's Bakery, Lou's, Mr Beef, oh my I' think I've gained 15 pounds!!!!!

Well, I have quickly purused the comments posted so far and I see lots of commiserating and some suggestions for the weight loss. I used to feel exactly like you do--so easy to gain 5 pounds and so hard to lose 5 pounds.

But now I have found Isagenix. It is easy and leaves you feeling on top of the world. The pounds and inches melt off. It's very healty, unlike most quick weightloss products.

You can check my website at www.loiswaterman.isagenix.com to see stories and a couple of short videos.

By the way, I am the mother of 7 and the grandmother of 16. I went from a size 14 to a size 6 with Isagenix in a very short period of time.

I loved the pictures of your family at Christmas. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

I started exercising 15 minutes a day 4 years ago with T-Tapp. It's an amazing program that changed my life, even helped me battle thyroid issues in the past year, losing 33". You can check out my photos and blog on my myspace: http://www.myspace.com/k8stertexas Oh, and I don't diet...they don't work ya know?

Also, I thought of the following only because I share that largeness of butt special feature. You know how sometimes some readers take you very literally? I was laughing at picturing literally a small crane being needed (maybe operated by your little ones :D) to help you off the floor when you've been playing with them.(please don't be offended - none intended!)KR

I have a little system that works pretty well. Have you ever hard of Leslie Sansone? I use her walk at home DVDs and I still eat whatever I want but I walk ten miles a week at home. It’s perfect with three little ones (mine are almost four, almost three, and one). As long as I keep up the pace I can walk while doing laundry, correcting or playing with my girls, holding my little man, talking on the phone (my sister doesn’t mind the occasional lack of breath :), and cleaning the kitchen! You may not lose as fast this way but it sure beats the heck out of watching what you eat :) Plus the kids love to "walk" with me and that makes it so much fun!

In November, I joined a blog with a bunch of ladies who want to loose weight. This has been a great motivation for me, knowing I would need to post each week to let everyone know how I was doing. They are all so encouraging! This worked SO well for me, and I lost 10 lbs. I exercised, and I even stayed on my eating plan (I don't like to use the word "diet") during a week long vacation to Disneyland. This past week, within 4 days, I gained 7 pounds. I was so depressed about it, that I went and stole a bunch of chocolate out of my kids Christmas stockings. Now I need to start over. Jill

I am with you girl. January 1 starts a low carb, no soda, excersize full year (or week) for me. In preparation- I have eaten every brownie, cookie and chip I can get my hands on. Just to get my strength up so I can diet you know

Try using Sparkpeople this year and see if it helps? Its free, there are recipes, message boards for support, a way to track your calories and exercise, and all sorts of other helpful things. Its helped me lose 40 pounds so far, and even if you decide to do a more formal program like Weight Watchers, the site can still help. Good luck!

I love your list of non-resolutions, Dawn. I stopped doing resolutions years ago when I realized that I never keep them. I did make one last year though, and I'm continuing it this year: every day, I will do something for myself (no matter how small) and not feel guilty about it. Maybe I'll take a section of the newspaper into the bathroom and read the comics or have a piece of *good* chocolate and not tell my kids or go to yoga or put on eyeshadow... whatever I can think of that day. The "and not feel guilty" was the part I had the hardest time with at the beginning, but it got easier as time went on.

With regards to the weight loss, many of the comments sound like those from my yoga instructor: make resolutions/commitments positive not negative to be more successful, fill up on veggies and fruits, drink more water, etc. I think that's a subtle hint to me!

As an aside that hopefully someone will find funny, my mom bought me an outfit from one of my favorite stores. The pants were a size 6. I have never in my life been a size 6, nor did I aspire to be. However, since moving to a new house a year and a half ago with two active children, I have lost some weight (it probably also has to do with not traveling for work anymore with all the eating out I was forced to do). However, I explained that I am NOT a size 6. My mom pshaw'ed that and insisted I try them on. *sigh* no, the didn't even begin to zipper -- although I was able to get them over my hips. I'm definitely not a size 6. Does anyone else have a mom who subtly hints at such things?

However, since they did fit over my hips and some people have mentioned great things about sparkpeople.com, maybe I'll check them out at some point. Maybe. Do they have info on commercial food (e.g., when eating out or brands of packaged foods)?

And whoever mentioned Jarosch's... mmmmm! My wedding cake and sweets table were from there, and boy were they good! I don't live close enough to go at all regularly but I have a rumbly in my tumbly now, as my son would say!

Yes, they have info on commercial food, and there is a way to build foods in if no one has added them yet, you just have to have a package or the nutritional info from the restaurant's website or whatever.

I started losing weight for my wedding, and I dropped 18lbs in 2 months. The only exercise I did was speed walking for 30 minutes every day during my lunch break. I also used the new FDA approved diet pill called Alli. It prevents your body from absorbing the fat in the foods you eat. I really think it helped me a lot. Just be careful: there's only one way for the fat to leave your body, and if you make a mistake like me and eat Chinese food after taking one of the pills, you'll have explosive diarrhea for a few hours. No fun at all. But I highly recommend it! Good luck!

LOL Right there with you, Dawn! I'm not only starting a new diet but I'm doing a 'cleanse' and fast to kick it off. Blech! The drink I have to drink is so nasty I need a good distraction...so I read your blog while I'm drinking it. How's that for a nasty visual?! Thanks for the distraction!

Hey Dawn! Happy New Year! I usually just lurk since you have so many great regulars leaving wit and wisdom. But this time I had to jump in here and tell you how I lost 27 Lbs in a little under 5 months and have kept it off. Have you ever heard of Hoodia? There's a lot of different brands floating around, but the one that finally worked for me was the Hoodia Dex-L10 from GNC.

I can't do "diet" pills because they make me feel weird. This stuff, however, is wonderful! No jitteries, no dizziness, no cotton mouth, JUST NO HUNGER! It helps me keep my daily calorie count down to between 1100-1300 per day. Sometimes I actually forget to eat!

And I've never had an "off" button. Nothing was ever too rich, too sweet, to much. Now I can take a couple of bites and STOP! It has amazed even my Hubby!

No, I dont' work for them. Yes, I checked with my doctor before I started using it - as anybody else should first, just to be safe. And I'm telling you that it WORKS FOR ME like nothing else ever has!

I figure if I can lose 27 pounds a year for the next 2 years, by 2011 I'll finally be able to squeeze back into that pair of size 10 jeans I've had hidden in the back of my closet for the past 20 years. My face may look 50, but I'm convinced that in those jeans my butt will look 30 again!